“A probing and discerning work that examines the emotional and personal consequences of the religious strife and sectarian violence roiling Hindus and Muslims in contemporary India.” — Screendaily
A first-rate ensemble drama... Das draws optimism and sparks of black humour from the various narrative strands.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2009
Firaaq 2008
“The directing debut of the superb actress Nandita Das, Firaaq is a probing and discerning work that examines the emotional and personal consequences of the religious strife and sectarian violence roiling Hindus and Muslims in contemporary India. Best known for her excellent work with Deepa Mehta (Fire, Earth), Das sketched out the story and script for Firaaq with [Auckland] writer Shuchi Kothari... The movie is steeped in the country's somber, devastatingly contentious modern history... The story is set around a chilling contemporary event, the 2002 ethnic clashes that left some 3,000 Muslims dead in the province of Gujarat. The story unfolds over an incident-packed 24-hour period, set one month after the outbreak of violence. Das constructs her story like a fugue or dance. She makes distinct and intensely visceral the sense of loss as witnessed by the young Muslim couple... who are devastated to find their home in charred ruins.” — Screendaily